Para Ordnance recoil spring.

[dearslayer]

Hello. My Para 16/40 currently has what I believe to be the original 20lb recoil spring. It's a bit difficult to rack now that the arthritis in my hands is getting worst by the day and I thought I might try out some different weight recoil springs. I believe ( according to Wolf Springs website) that the recoil springs are the same as the Colt 1911. Any suggestions as to where I might be able to purchase a variable weight spring pack to have the option to try different weights to see what works best? I currently reload my own cast powder coated boolits. I called Double Tap and I think they only have 2 different weight springs ( I don't remember which weighs). I called Freedom Ventures but nobody is picking up.

 

[Odinson]

Hello. My Para 16/40 currently has what I believe to be the original 20lb recoil spring. It's a bit difficult to rack now that the arthritis in my hands is getting worst by the day and I thought I might try out some different weight recoil springs. I believe ( according to Wolf Springs website) that the recoil springs are the same as the Colt 1911. Any suggestions as to where I might be able to purchase a variable weight spring pack to have the option to try different weights to see what works best? I currently reload my own cast powder coated boolits. I called Double Tap and I think they only have 2 different weight springs ( I don't remember which weighs). I called Freedom Ventures but nobody is picking up.

You might try Brownells, that is where I got my springs a few years ago. I just ordered a few different strength of springs to try and then settled on one. May want to "lower" the powder charge with a softer spring because if yours is anything like the PXT that I had, you could chase the brass for a long way. I should have kept that gun!

 

[JohnnyP636]

Wolff Gunsprings shipped directly to me in Canada when I bought a Glock recoil spring tuning pack, not sure if that has changed

 

[just having some fun]

Are you loading paper punchers ? med or max loads ? the load will tell you what spring you need

the 1911 45 acp depending on different things has been shipped from the factory with 16 lb springs but i think most to reduce frame to slide battering most use a 18 lb spring

the most I have ever heard of is a 24lb spring

Contact all the local dealers and look for a 18 lb spring

 

[dearslayer]

Are you loading paper punchers ? med or max loads ? the load will tell you what spring you need

the 1911 45 acp depending on different things has been shipped from the factory with 16 lb springs but i think most to reduce frame to slide battering most use a 18 lb spring

the most I have ever heard of is a 24lb spring

Contact all the local dealers and look for a 18 lb spring

Only using it for paper punchers. MP 165gr TC over 4.7gr of Win231. As previously mentioned I believe the pistol has the Factory spring that I think came with a 20lb spring unless it was changed out by original owner. So if that's the case would an 18lb spring make a noticeable difference? Asking simply because I don't know. Was at the club the other day and a fellow shooter had a 12lb spring that we installed to try out and it seemed to work pretty good so I thought I might try in that range to start. Thoughts??

 

[270 totheend]

You don’t want to go too low of a spring unless all you want to shoot is powder puff loads. Too light a spring will not only create more stress/damage to your gun but will change the way you feel the recoil, (more sharp rap than big push). With an arthritis issue already you don’t want your enjoyable past time to go sour on you.
I don’t know what type of arthritis you have, osteo, rheumatic or psoriatic but make sure you do everything you can to halt further damage.

 

[dearslayer]

You don’t want to go too low of a spring unless all you want to shoot is powder puff loads. Too light a spring will not only create more stress/damage to your gun but will change the way you feel the recoil, (more sharp rap than big push). With an arthritis issue already you don’t want your enjoyable past time to go sour on you.
I don’t know what type of arthritis you have, osteo, rheumatic or psoriatic but make sure you do everything you can to halt further damage.

I was hoping to find a variable pack so I could try different weights. I have Osteo in various areas of the body but on the hands it's in both thumbs specifically. Very painful when pressure is applied.

 

[ottoman]

A good majority of IPSC/Action shooters use a spring in the 13-16 lb range for 1911s shooting 40. Brownells usually has good selection of Wollf springs and ships to Canada. I'm sure there are more than a few site sponsors that have springs for the 1911.

 

[Odinson]

Along with the right spring, the 1911 in 45 often benefits from a buffer as well.

 

[madcow]

there are 2 factors affecting your slide racking tension. The recoil sping and the mainspring. From the factory both springs are over 20#'s

Since its a 40, you should be using a 14-16# recoil spring, and I would higly recommend a wolf 1911 varicoil. As for the mainspring, put in a 18or19# spring.

 

[madcow]

shok Buffs are a waste of time, especially if your springs are tuned too light, they have a tenancy to break apart at the wrong times.

 

[BattleRife]

From Wolff's website:

Recoil Calibration Paks
Recoil calibration paks are offered to allow the shooter a choice of recoil springs to calibrate the recoil function when the correct spring rating is not known. These paks offer a savings of 20% over the same purchase of individual springs. The shooter starts with the strongest spring in the pak and works down until the desired recoil function is obtained.

For use in:
Colt 1911, 1911A1, 1991, Government, MKIV and Gold Cup models

Stock No. 13112 - Reduced Power Pak - Conventional
This pak contains 1 each of 11, 12, 13, 14, & 15 Lb. reduced power conventional recoil springs and 3 extra power firing pin springs.

 

[ottoman]

^^^What he said^^^

 

[dearslayer]

there are 2 factors affecting your slide racking tension. The recoil sping and the mainspring. From the factory both springs are over 20#'s

Since its a 40, you should be using a 14-16# recoil spring, and I would higly recommend a wolf 1911 varicoil. As for the mainspring, put in a 18or19# spring.

I believe I have a 17lb ( it's an open pack that says 17lb , not sure where I got it ) that I can try but what is a varicoil spring?

 

[Odinson]

shok Buffs are a waste of time, especially if your springs are tuned too light, they have a tenancy to break apart at the wrong times.

Never had one break, replace them once in a while and all is good. But, everyone experiences thing differently ......... just ask trudeau.

 

[Rippo]

I have a 13lb in my Colt 1911 45
4.6gr W231 paper punch with no issues.
Label each spring and keep a note what’s in the gun!

 

[dearslayer]

I'll ask again because it wasn't answered in previous post...what is a varicoil?? Is it just another name for a regular recoil spring?

 

[madcow]

wolff spring

a Wolff varicoil is the same as a regular recoil spring, but its coild distances will shorten the farther down the slide it goes, giving more resistance along the recoil. allowing a more gentle action.

 

[dearslayer]

a Wolff varicoil is the same as a regular recoil spring, but its coild distances will shorten the farther down the slide it goes, giving more resistance along the recoil. allowing a more gentle action.

View attachment 730698

Thanks so much for the explanation. So would it be best to order this variable pack from Wolf Springs or if not could you provide a link to what I might order from them?